Need some help with my 2 post lift install

[shadetreehoonigans]

New to the forum and glad I found it. Now let me get to my issue!! started out with a asphalt driveway in which I cut out a 4ft wide by approx 16 ft area and put in 12” thick of concrete with rebar in preparation for a 2 post lift. Now due to me not being a expert at this but knowing my driveway is far from level (tree roots underneath and poor grading whenever it was done etc) I had a truck fill it with concrete and off they went and once everything dried and the lift was delivered I got straight to the install without ever figuring out how bad off level it really was. so without further ado I now have figured out how much of a dummy I really am for not giving it extra thought and only giving attention to the thickness of concrete. So here lies my problem it appears I have 1 3/8 inch difference in post height give or take and so on the low side as you can see I put a 1 inch thick steel plate under it after having it all bolted down previously and then checking arm height how bad it really was (pictures when dark out show prior to the 1 inch thick plate installed) so I went through the trouble of lifting the lower post today (that was sketchy to say the least) and found it being still pretty bad off. So I’m here to get your help. I’d like to fix this in a way where no crazy jacking up a vehicle is needed to get the arms underneath unless the vehicle is already very low to the ground. What’s my best solution? Can anyone help a “diyer” out on how I should fix this before I cut the wedges and move the lift over a few inches and start over because I can’t go any higher with the post as I don’t have long enough wedges in order to do so but if I do move the lift I’ll be using 8 inch wedges possibly 10 inch to be able to do what’s needed unless there’s a better way without redoing the concrete slab.

 

[shadetreehoonigans]

Thread 'Call me a dummy for this'
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/call-me-a-dummy-for-this.552684/


Sorry for the double post was looking for some needed help to progress with my install

 

[drmarkr]

With the 1" plate in, how much thread is catching on the stud in the anchor?? I would want every bit of it. How low of cars do you expect to be lifting? If it's daily's and trucks I'd say you're going to be fine as it is, but I'll be curious to hear what others think.

I take it the lift has no overhead beam?

EDIT: One more question. Did you use forms for this slab, or just trowel the concrete to the asphalt grade?

 

[Firebrick43]

A grinder with diamond cup wheel, small level and a straight edge can grind a section flat in just a few minutes where the post set.

Buy a cheap HF grinder so you won't cry when the concrete dust takes it out. And wear a respirator or good dust mask.

Those were some mighty big ***** playing on your wet concrete.

 

[shadetreehoonigans]

With the 1" plate in, how much thread is catching on the stud in the anchor?? I would want every bit of it. How low of cars do you expect to be lifting? If it's daily's and trucks I'd say you're going to be fine as it is, but I'll be curious to hear what others think.

I take it the lift has no overhead beam?

EDIT: One more question. Did you use forms for this slab, or just trowel the concrete to the asphalt grade?

Skreed with with a 2x4 and no form I didn’t think it through got myself into a hurry and without washer and lock washer it tops the nut only this is another concern I have so I am most likely to move the posts a few inches and drill new holes and install longer anchors and on the hi side take a angle grinder as stated below and spend a couple hours flattening the concrete to make it more even

 

[shadetreehoonigans]

A grinder with diamond cup wheel, small level and a straight edge can grind a section flat in just a few minutes where the post set.

Buy a cheap HF grinder so you won't cry when the concrete dust takes it out. And wear a respirator or good dust mask.

Those were some mighty big ***** playing on your wet concrete.

Appreciate the response

 

[NUTTSGT]

Thread 'Call me a dummy for this'
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/call-me-a-dummy-for-this.552684/


Sorry for the double post was looking for some needed help to progress with my install

I've merged both of these threads. We prefer a member only to have only thread on a subject like this as to prevent confusion.




Quick math says a little over 2.5 yards of concrete. Personally, I think I would chalk it up as a rookie mistake, take the wife out to dinner, let her in on the boo boo and to have it safely done, you need to tear it out and start over.

Next time, since you found this place, ask some questions first and heed (the majority) of the advice given. You'll still get some oddball answers but for the most part, quality advice, for free. This is a good group or guys/girls that will help you out.

 

[shadetreehoonigans]

I've merged both of these threads. We prefer a member only to have only thread on a subject like this as to prevent confusion.




Quick math says a little over 2.5 yards of concrete. Personally, I think I would chalk it up as a rookie mistake, take the wife out to dinner, let her in on the boo boo and to have it safely done, you need to tear it out and start over.

Next time, since you found this place, ask some questions first and heed (the majority) of the advice given. You'll still get some oddball answers but for the most part, quality advice, for free. This is a good group or guys/girls that will help you out.

Redoing 12” deep concrete isn’t gonna happen unless absolutely necessary as grinding the area would be sufficient to make it work as my research shows now if it was 4” deep concrete then yes absolutely but don’t see the need to remove 12 thick concrete to fix the issue. Also my apologies for the double thread and thank you for the response!

 

[AC-WC]

I would get a quote for concrete leveling beforw i started grinding.
Agree with grinding as plan B to make level if you can't bust up/remove but what about water drainage from the area? Especially removing that much concrete.
Are the posts going to sit in water?
Is the lift exposed to rain/snow? Those are both rust starters and i would be very concerned about that.

 

[shadetreehoonigans]

I have an awning being built over everything coming soon

I would get a quote for concrete leveling beforw i started grinding.
Agree with grinding as plan B to make level if you can't bust up/remove but what about water drainage from the area? Especially removing that much concrete.
Are the posts going to sit in water?
Is the lift exposed to rain/snow? Those are both rust starters and i would be very concerned about that.

 

[zkdiesel]

Grind the concrete. Use spacer as needed

 

[shadetreehoonigans]

Grind the concrete. Use spacer as needed

I believe this will be what I do as I feel after what others have said and from research may be my best bet

 

[shadetreehoonigans]

With the 1" plate in, how much thread is catching on the stud in the anchor?? I would want every bit of it. How low of cars do you expect to be lifting? If it's daily's and trucks I'd say you're going to be fine as it is, but I'll be curious to hear what others think.

I take it the lift has no overhead beam?

EDIT: One more question. Did you use forms for this slab, or just trowel the concrete to the asphalt grade?

Just noticed your edit:
The lift does have a overhead support bar
Was troweled to the asphalt and that’s where I went completely wrong and didn’t plan accordingly to make a form to level out the low point… rookie mistake I’m fully aware of

 

[drmarkr]

Looks like you have a good plan...

 

[nadogail]

Without an approximate location for the OP and the problem, I can't commit to visiting the site and providing assistance.

Near by, no problem; at some distance from me there could be a problem in getting there.